Merci Boxcars

fter the war, efforts were made by the American people to assist areas of Europe that had been reduced to ruins. A Washington Post newspaper columnist, Drew Pearson, began a grassroots effort to gather supplies for the war-ravaged areas in 1947. Americans responded with fervor and the aptly named "American Friendship Train" with $40 million dollars in supplies filling 700 cars was sent to Europe. A French rail worker and World War II veteran, Andre Picard was so touched by this gesture the he suggested France reciprocate. A French veteran's organization quickly embraced his idea and developed a committee to collect the gifts. A search was conducted to commandeer boxcars from rail yards and depots throughout France to restore them in preparation for their journey. Over 52,000 gifts totaling 250 tons were collected to fill 49 boxcars bound for all the states in 2 the U.S. including one car to be shared by the District of Columbia and the territory of Hawaii. Items aboard these cars included everything from a jeweled Legion d'Pionneer medal presented to Napolen, a Louis XV carriage and one of the first motorcycles ever built. One of the more touching gifts was as an eleven year olds stuffed toy dog named LouLou on which she attached a note,

It seems that I was one year old when Meme offered it to me for my father who was a prisoner in Germany. I love Loulou very much, but I offer it to you in gratitude for all that the Americans have done for my country ... I thought I would keep it all my life, so it is with sorrow that I embrace Loulou for the last time.

The boxcars arrived in New York harbor on February 3, 1949 aboard the freighter Magellan bearing an enormous banner reading “MERCI AMERICA.” The cars were split into three groups and loaded aboard flatcars destined for each state in the union. Upon arrival, it was the job of each state government to display its car and distribute its gifts. Today the remaining forty-six Merci cars are scattered throughout the nation, in parks, museums, American Legion posts, and fairgrounds.

Ava Wilkey / The Forty and Eight Merci Boxcar: A Gift to our Greatest Generation